About

Provided by Pesetsky & Bookman PC

Firm Overview

Pesetsky & Bookman PC is New York’s preeminent boutique law firm dedicated exclusively to alcoholic beverage law. Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026, for over four decades the firm has represented restaurants, hotels, nightlife venues, real estate developers, airlines, luxury retailers, and other national and international brands navigating New York’s complex alcoholic beverage regulatory landscape.

P&B combines deep subject-matter expertise, longstanding relationships with regulators and community stakeholders, and a practical, business-oriented approach that has made the firm a trusted advisor to operators, in-house counsel, and outside counsel at every scale. The firm's geographic scope includes all of New York State, including New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, the Catskills, Albany, the Finger Lakes, the North Country, and Buffalo.

P&B is widely regarded as the leading firm in New York for liquor licensing before the New York State Liquor Authority and New York City's Community Boards. The firm handles both high-volume filing work as well as complex and high-profile applications involving large real estate projects, intricate ownership structures, multinational operators, and politically sensitive locations. Recent matters include a flagship hotel project at Hudson Yards, an airline's redevelopment of its terminal at JFK airport, and an international luxury brand's launch of a members' club in Brooklyn.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Food & Beverages - New York

Spotlight

What the Team is Known For

Pesetsky & Bookman PC is a sophisticated alcoholic beverage regulatory boutique. The team regularly represents restaurants, bars and sophisticated hospitality clients around New York City. The group is accustomed to guiding clients through obtaining licenses, as well as advising on regulatory issues in relation to M&A deals and asset purchases.

Notable practitioners

Max Bookman is a key contact for the firm.

Industries

Provided by Pesetsky & Bookman PC

Alcoholic Beverages

Food and Beverage

Tobacco